at the Lexington Venue, 1794 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington on Thursday, October 16, 2025 from 7:00— 8:30 PM
In October, the National Hockey League’s first Black player, Willie O’Ree, will be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Join the Cary Library and the Association of Black Citizens of Lexington (ABCL) as we honor his achievements with a screening of the film, Willie.
**Offsite location** This event takes place at the Lexington Venue, 1794 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington.
Film run time is 70 mins.
Following the film, Lexington resident and Producer of the film, Bryant McBride and ABCL President Jon Suber will host a discussion followed by Q&A. Thank you Helen Lui for organizing this event.
We hope to see you there.”Willie” is a story of courage, resilience, friendship and triumph across North America that was 240 years in the making. In 1958, during America’s fight to end Jim Crow, Willie O’Ree became the first black player in the National Hockey League. This documentary follows the amazing story of Willie’s family from his great grandfather’s escape from slavery in 1778 to Willie’s ascent to hockey’s highest honor – induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 12, 2018. Willie’s story transcends hockey – it is an historic yet current journey in pursuit of opportunity to blaze new trails and inspire people of all races. At a time when the world needs heroes – meet “Willie”.
Lexington resident and Producer of the film, Bryant McBride crafted a poignant, powerful story. McBride gathered a team of Executive Producers, Ted Leonsis, Sheila Johnson and Earl Stafford and the support of The National Hockey League and JP Morgan Chase to collaborate in making the film. The film also features appearances by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, NHL great Wayne Gretzky, MIT Chancellor and expert on race and retrospective justice Melissa Nobles, NHL Alumni Wayne Simmonds and Devante Smith-Pelly, Former Women’s pro hockey player and Arcadia University Coach Kelsey Koelzer and former Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honorable Justin Trudeau. Additional promotional support was provided by USA Hockey, The Hockey Hall of Fame, The Government of Canada, The Province of New Brunswick, Canada, and The City of San Diego.
The presentation of the film during this October coincides with Willie O’Ree’s 90th birthday and his acceptance of the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor awarded in the United States. Willie is also a past recipient of the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honor in Canada. Willie will be one of two people to ever receive both honors, Ken Taylor, former Canadian Ambassador to Iran being the other.